Some fantastic movies were shot in Dubai, including big Hollywood productions like Dune, The Dark Knight Rises, Star Trek Beyond, Independence Day, and many more. But what about those films that were not only filmed in the U.A.E. emirate, but that are also set there? There are actually quite a lot of those, from popular blockbusters to lesser known local gems, and we made a list to get you started!
Dubai is such a popular holiday destination that it’s no wonder several movies feature scenes that take place there. Its stunning landscapes, beaches, and nightlife keep drawing so many people to it, but there’s so much more you can do there. Some choose to take tours and safaris, go on food crawls, and enjoy a range of other activities. Lots of films set in Dubai also revolve around cars, and both tourists and residents often choose to rent luxury cars with companies like Renty Luxury Car Hire, which can save time while giving them the thrill of driving a high-end vehicle with the gorgeous backdrop of the city.
Regardless of why you might be thinking of going to Dubai, if you’re looking for films that are set there, we have you covered! The 5 movies listed below were not only all filmed there, but the city is also part of the narrative. They are listed in alphabetical order, including a good mix of Hollywood productions and lesser known gems. Happy reading!
1. City of Life (2009)
Ali F. Mostafa
Let’s start with an Emirati production from director Ali F. Mostafa, winner of the “Muhr Award” for Best Emirati Filmmaker at the 2007 Dubai Film Festival. This ambitious movie was an instant hit with U.A.E. audiences for its complex, layered portrayal of Dubai through the lives of three people who find themselves there at the same time.
Our protagonists are an Arab playboy named Faisal (Saoud Al Kaabi) who’s young and privileged but hasn’t quite found himself yet, an Indian taxi driver named Basu (Sonu Sood) who oddly resembles a famous Bollywood star, and a Romanian flight attendant named Natalia (Alexandra Maria Lara), who arrives to the city just looking for love. Somehow, these three characters’ lives soon become interconnected, in a film that ultimately looks at how our decisions can impact others in significant ways, even if we didn’t mean them to, and how good things can come even out of unexpected changes.
City of Life (2009) is a movie about many themes, from cultural background and identity to class divide, and if our three main characters each belong to a different ethnicity, it’s not by chance. There’s tragedy in the film, but there’s also hope, which is bound to affect you emotionally. But if you’re reading this article, you should also watch this movie for its portrayal of Dubai, which is a character in itself too. Look out for the opening scene of a character cycling through its streets, its many sequences shot in the more traditional urban areas of the city, and a fantasy scene where Basu imagines himself as a Bollywood star surrounded by fans. The sequel, City of Life – Continuum, is currently in post-production, which makes this the perfect time to discover the first film.
2. Gran Turismo (2023)
Neill Blomkamp
Gran Turismo was based on the true story of British professional racing driver Jann Mardenborough, who was obsessed with cars from an early age and, after playing the Gran Turismo PlayStation game for many years, ended up winning Sony and Nissan’s “GT Academy” – a GT event based on the game – in 2011. While the 2023 film adds some fictional elements to the narrative, it’s a very good racing movie with fantastic performances and heart-pounding action sequences.
Most of of the film is set in the Dubai Autodrome, which was its primary filming location since many key racing scenes take place there. The actual races are stunning and often feature the iconic skyline too. The movie itself, from the director of District 9, is solid: Archie Madekwe (Saltburn, Lurker) plays Jann, starring alongside a fantastic cast that includes David Harbour (Stranger Things) as fictional ally Jack Salter, Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean) as a Nissan marketing executive based on the real-life Darren Cox, and Takehiro Hira (Shōgun) as the founder of video game developer Polyphony Digital.
3. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
Brad Bird
The first movie that usually comes to mind when people think of films that are set and were shot in Dubai is often Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and for good reason. It’s in that film that lead Tom Cruise – known for doing his own stunts out of his desire to provide audiences with the most authentic experiences possible – achieved something that, up till then, had never been done before: climbing and dangling from Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
The scene itself is pretty much the highlight of the film, especially since this extraordinary achievement is combined with a gripping plot that sees Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, having to complete a very difficult, life-threatening task while his team – Simon Pegg’s Benji, Jeremy Renner’s Brandt, and Paula Patton’s Jane – try to pull off another task that’s just as dangerous inside the building.
The film itself sees Ethan and hit team go rogue while the IMF – the covert organization they were part of – is shut down, and try to clear its name without knowing who they can trust. Ghost Protocol is one of the best Mission: Impossible movies, so if you’re into action and spy movies, you shouldn’t miss it. For more scenes that were filmed and take place in Dubai, look out for a thrilling sandstorm sequence and an action-packed chase scene,
4. Rashid & Rajab (2019)
Mohammed Saeed Harib
This irresistible comedy from Mohammed Saeed Harib is the hidden gem in our list, and it’s even more appropriate now that the new Mean Girls movie has hit streamers, since it starts from a similar premise. It all begins with an accident that sees two people switch bodies while they’re on their way to work. The titular protagonists are a wealthy, workaholic Emirati executive named Rashid (Marwan Abdullah) and a poor, carefree Egyptian fast-food deliveryman named Ragab (Shadi Alfons).
As you might have guessed from this premise, the film will ultimately see the duo gain a different perpective by stepping into each other’s shoes. But if the plot itself isn’t entirely unpredictable, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this slapstick comedy immensely. On top of this, Rashid & Rajab pretty much takes place in the entire city, so you’ll recognize plenty of locations. If you like body-swap comedies, this is a must-watch!
5. Vanguard (2020)
Stanley Tong
Jackie Chan in Dubai; need we say more? Stanley Tong’s Vanguard (2020) isn’t revolutionary plot-wise, but if you’re a Jackie Chan fan looking to be entertained with action scenes that mostly take place in Dubai, then we’d still recommend it. The title of the film is the name of a covert security company that our protagonist, Tang Huating (Chang), is trying to reach when he finds himself being targeted by the world’s most dangerous mercenary organization.
Most of the movie is set in Dubai, with scenes that take place at various locations, from the Burj Khalifa and the Downtown area, including famous resort Atlantis, The Palm, to Dubai’s popular City Walk. In terms of actual scenes, the highlight of the film is a car chase involving gold cars that will have your pulse racing!
The five films listed above are all set in Dubai. They belong to different genres and, whether you’re looking for action-packed Hollywood blockbusters or lesser known, local indie gems, you should find something that interests you. If you need more recommendations, check out the acclaimed Syriana, Bollywood hit Happy New Year, and Furious 7, which was mostly shot in Abu Dhabi but contains plenty of thrilling car scenes you’ll like. For movies that were shot in Dubai but don’t take place there, don’t miss the new Dune films and Star Trek Beyond. Enjoy!
